The 99th Divorce

When Shen Zhilie said this, he raised his eyebrows slightly and flashed a bright smile, just like the way he had when he first saw her. But Fang Tongtong was no longer the same person as before.

Ye Qianqian was looking at Fang Tongtong’s visibly upset expression. She pulled Shen Zhilie and said, “Tongtong, I suppose we are not young anymore, so we will definitely be getting married sooner or later. So, yeah… I wanted to ask about the candy?”

“All right.”

Fang Tongtong put a box of candy in front of them. She took a nice bag and placed the box in it, then she said, “Take it with you. No need to pay for it.”

“Now that’s not okay. A favor is a favor. Business is business.” Shen Zhilie took out his wallet and said, “I just like to make clear distinctions between the two.”

Ye Qianqian could tell that something was off with Shen Zhilie, but she couldn’t tell exactly what it was. It didn’t seem like anything was off in his gestures or words.

Shen Zhilie took out a hundred yuan bill and placed it on the counter. He asked, “How much is it?”

Fang Tongtong looked at the bill and felt even more uncomfortable. She pushed the money back. “I’ve lived in your house for several days, and I haven’t paid the rent. It’s only a few dozen yuan. Take it.”

Shen Zhilie looked at her. Fang Tongtong’s eyes appeared to be a little red. He could vaguely sense her mild embarrassment. “Okay.” Shen Zhilie took the money back. “Thank you.” Shen Zhilie picked up the candy box, turned around, and left.

Ye Qianqian was studying Fang Tongtong with a complicated look. She sighed inside and felt bad for her. After thinking about it, she said to her, “Well, we’ll be on our way now.”

“All right,” Fang Tongtong answered faintly. She then watched them leave the shop.

After they left, someone called out in the room, “Tongtong, time for our meal!”

Fang Tongtong stared straight ahead and replied after a long time, “Mother, Qianqian is getting married.”

When Mrs. Fang heard this, she immediately walked outside. She somehow couldn’t bring herself to believe it at all. “So fast? Didn’t she just break up with her previous boyfriend?”

“They got back together again. They just bought some candy together and said they were on their way to the blind uncle’s place to ask about their horoscope.”

Mrs. Fang was a little surprised. “How can this girl get married the same year her grandfather passed away? It’s not auspicious. You have got to remind her.”

But after saying this, she suddenly seemed to be reminded of something. She looked at her daughter and said, “Well, it’s none of our business anyway. Let’s eat. The meal is done.”

“Okay.” Fang Tongtong stood up and walked inside.

–

Ye Qianqian seldom came to this place. Although she knew the blind uncle lived in this area, she was unsure which house he lived in.

They finally found the place where the blind uncle was living in after asking for directions the whole way there. The blind uncle lived in a one-story bungalow. It was pretty worn down and rugged outside. When they walked inside, they were amazed by the antiques in the house.

Before even entering the door, they smelled a strong scent of incense. There was a futon inside, on which was placed an altar. There were all kinds of Bodhisattvas on it.

Ye Qianqian didn’t know about this kind of stuff very much, so she only recognized one Avalokitesvara, another Manjusri, and Sakyamuni Buddha. All the other types Ye Qianqian saw were only shapes to her. She didn’t know their names.

“On the way.” A little hoarse voice traveled through the room and startled Ye Qianqian. A small and rickety figure slowly shuffled toward them from inside.

His hair had turned all white. When the old man looked up, they could clearly see all the wrinkles on his face and a pair of completely white eyes.

…